ev.news Briefly: BMW, Audi, ID. Polo & more | 08 Oct 2026

BMW iX4 GAINS RANGE BY SACRIFICING SPACE
BMW’s new iX4 electric SUV offers up to 514 miles of WLTP range, 17 miles more than the equivalent iX3 thanks to improved aerodynamics, but sacrifices 30 litres of boot space for its sloping roofline. UK deliveries begin in March 2027, with prices from £60,170, battery capacities up to 108.7 kWh and DC charging reaching 400 kW, demonstrating how aerodynamic improvements can extend range without increasing battery size.

AUDI BRINGS BACK A2 AS £32,200 ELECTRIC HATCH
Audi has revived the A2 as a compact electric hatchback starting at £32,200, offering up to 397 miles of WLTP range, three battery sizes from 52 to 84 kWh, charging at up to 183 kW and optional bidirectional charging. Arriving in early 2027, the Volkswagen MEB-based A2 prioritises aerodynamic efficiency and practicality, reviving a philosophy that struggled commercially 21 years ago but could prove more appealing in the electric era.

VOLKSWAGEN PUTS GTI BADGE ON ELECTRIC POLO
Volkswagen has opened German orders for its first fully electric GTI, the €39,995 ID. Polo GTI, featuring a 166 kW motor, 52 kWh usable battery, 431 km WLTP range and 105 kW charging. Arriving 50 years after the original Golf GTI, it combines performance-focused suspension and steering with nostalgic driving features, testing whether Volkswagen can transfer the GTI badge’s enthusiast appeal to electric motoring.

MERCEDES EV SALES SURGE AS CHINA BUSINESS SHRINKS
Mercedes-Benz achieved record quarterly electric passenger-car sales of 68,400 in Q3 2026, up 61% year on year, with European EV sales rising 78% and several new electric models already sold out for the remainder of 2026. However, total passenger-car sales fell 8% to 407,200 as Chinese sales collapsed 31%, exposing the growing tension between Mercedes’ successful electric transition and its weakening position in the world’s largest automotive market.

OCTOPUS OFFERS FLEETS UP TO 30% OFF PUBLIC CHARGING
Octopus Fleet has launched FleetBoost, offering UK electric fleets discounts of up to 30% on public charging through participating networks Ionity, Be.EV and MFG EV Power, with claimed annual savings reaching £730 per vehicle. The initiative targets one of fleet electrification’s biggest operating costs, although actual savings will depend on charger availability along drivers’ routes, and Octopus has not disclosed how its maximum savings estimate was calculated.

CHERY AND BYD TAKE BIGGER SLICE OF UK CAR SALES
Chinese manufacturers continued their rapid expansion in Britain during September, with Chery International UK registrations rising 171% to 32,823 vehicles and a 9.36% market share, while BYD grew 80% to 20,129 vehicles and 5.76% of the market. Crucially, their success extends beyond fully electric vehicles into hybrids and plug-in hybrids, allowing both companies to attract a wider customer base while investing in British retail networks and engineering operations.

US ROOFTOP SOLAR BUYERS INCREASINGLY ADD BATTERIES
Home battery storage accompanied 37% of new US residential solar installations in 2025, up from 25% in 2024, with California leading at 74% following changes that reduced payments for electricity exported to the grid. The figures from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory demonstrate how lower export compensation is encouraging households to store their solar generation for later consumption, strengthening the economic case for combining rooftop solar with battery storage.